Meet Our Team

Senior Leadership Team

Peter CaudellChairman

Peter is the founder of Oakenhurst Aircraft Trading and Oakenhurst Aircraft Services. In his 30+ years building the company Peter has strived to offer the aviation market a quality service in the supply of aircraft parts and subsequently the repair of these components. Peter spent his early years travelling the world as a licenced aircraft mechanic and finally settled down in the Crawley region. Peter has always enjoyed skiing, staying fit and socialising with friends.

Charlie ParkerManaging Director

Charlie along with Dave Lund joined Oakenhurst in January 1997 as the Electrical Workshop Manager, and during his 20 years with the company has progressed to the position of Managing Director. Charlie started his aviation career back in 1985 working for British Air Ferries at Southend Airport where he gained a lot of experience and knowledge about aviation and in particular component repair. Charlie has two grown up children and spends some of his valuable spare time watching rugby union and football but his big passion is playing tennis, too often according to his partner Gill.

Gareth CronkGeneral Manager

Gareth began his career at Oakenhurst in May 1997 as the Instrument workshop supervisor. After 13 years as the workshop supervisor and some restructuring internally Gareth took on a new challenge in becoming the Production Foreman. Gareth held this position before becoming the General Manager for Oakenhurst in 2017. Outside of work Gareth plays golf (badly) and enjoys attending football games to watch the team he so passionately supports. Gareth is also the proud father of 3 grown up children and very much enjoys social activities and events, meeting new people and participating in social chatter which, according to Gareth’s better half is something he relishes!

Quality, Projects & Finance

Steve RollsQuality Manager

Steve started with Oakenhurst in March 2017 and is currently celebrating 30 years in aviation! Experienced in both Heavy/Line Maintenance, Engine Workshop and Component environments, he made the change to Quality Assurance a number of years ago and has enjoyed the education that has come with the transition. In his spare time Steve is a classic car enthusiast, and travels to shows all over Europe with his family in their classic Volkswagen. Sometimes they even get there without a breakdown! Other pastimes include fishing, golf and cooking.

Dave LundProjects Manager

Dave was a founder member of Oakenhurst back in 1997, has been with the company now for approaching 20 years, and remains an active member of the management team. Dave originated his career as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer, went on to receive a university degree, and was later awarded the Licentiateship of City & Guilds. Dave is also a current member of British Mensa. Dave continues under his role as Projects Manager. His focus is to grow the company’s capability, discover solutions to problems and move the company forward in an ever changing world.
In his leisure time Dave enjoys travelling, reading, fine dining and enjoys lifetime membership of the National Trust.

Martin SandersonFacilities & Accounts Manager

Martin has worked in the aviation industry since 1980, originally working as an aviation insurance underwriter in the City until 1999, specialising in Airline and UK General Aviation business. Having tired of commuting and seeking a better quality of life, Martin resigned from his position in London and retrained in the accountancy field, working locally and joining the team at Oakenhurst in 2008. His primary function is managing the day to day financial aspects of the company business and overseeing a very busy office. Away from Oakenhurst, Martin plays golf, football (short goalkeeper), cricket (wicketkeeper/batsman) and enjoys participating in amateur dramatics with both East Essex Players and Benfleet Operatic Society.

Production & Engineering

Ian HutchinMaintenance & Production Foreman

In June 1996 Ian joined Oakenhurst as a Trainee. Today, Ian is our Production Foreman and enjoys being part of a great team that are continuously moving the company forward. Ian is a bit of a daredevil which has taken him to great heights with skydiving and wing walking. Ian lives locally in Leigh-on-Sea with his wonderful wife and son and enjoys football and cycling in his spare time.

Ken BensonInteriors, Communications & Navigation Division Team Leader

After 24 years in the Royal Navy as a radar engineer, Ken started a new career in avionics.
A founder member of the team that grew Oakenhurst out of “The Avionics Workshop” in 1997.
Ken helped Dave Lund set up the Radio workshop and after over twenty years is now the supervisor of the I.C. & N. division.
Recently “single again” Ken has two grown-up children and a young son. He spends most of his spare time on Rock & Roll and Cars. Ken has learnt to jive and attends many dances and Rock & Roll weekenders. Ken also owns two PT Cruisers and a 1960 Ford Consul which he hopes to restore.

Billy LanderFlight Power & Electro-mechanics Division Team Leader

Billy joined Oakenhurst In October 2013 as a Skilled Engineer. Today Billy supervises the Flight Power and Electro-Mechanical Division, overseeing the day to day running and ensuring all work is carried out and completed to the high standards that have made Oakenhurst what it is today. In his spare time he enjoys playing and watching Rugby, Fishing, Cycling and socialising with family and friends.

Commercial Team

Karen TibbleCommercial Manager

Karen started with Oakenhurst in 2010 as an assistant buyer. Today Karen manages the commercial department, overseeing the purchasing, third party and customer service team helping to ensure our customers receive a quality service. In her spare time Karen enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing with a good book.

Lisa SnowdonCustomer Account Manager

Lisa has been with Oakenhurst since 2012 and enjoys the fast paced environment of the aviation industry. Lisa ensures our clients are provided with the best possible service from beginning to end of the in house repair process.
Lisa is also a mum to two children and spends most weekends on the side line of a football pitch with her son or shopping with her daughter.

Sanja BenakSenior MRO Executive

Sanja joined Oakenhurst in 2012 as MRO Administrator. Her role is primarily to manage third party repairs. Essentially she is the liaison between our customers and our suppliers. Sanja ensures that all the work we sub-contract is done to the quality we would expect at Oakenhurst. In Sanja’s spare time she loves watching soaps, who says they are not real life!

Sukhi HolaitSales Consultant

Sukhi joined Oakenhurst Aircraft Services in November 2015. Sukhi has been in the aviation industry since 1987. In that time he has worked for an airline, OEM’s, parts distributors and MRO’s and gained experiences from both a Purchasing and Sales perspective. Sukhi is married with 3 daughters and supports Liverpool Football Club.

Tom GriffinCommercial Executive

Tom joined the Oakenhurst team in 2017, prior to which he spent 15 years as a B2 Licensed Aircraft Engineer. Finally admitting to prefer the warm and dry, Tom swapped his tool box for a computer and now brings much hands-on experience to a commercial role. Tom has developed a solid knowledge of aircraft systems over many years of certifying in hangar and line environments. He is a passionate angler and lover of long dog walks that end up in the pub.